Post assembly



I June 5, 1962 J. R. ZEMAN 3,037,745

POST ASSEMBLY Filed Sept. 19, 1958 INVENTOR. JAMES R. Z EMAN United States Patent Ofifice 3,037,745 POST ASSEMBLY James R. Zeman, 1218 S. 61st St, Omaha, Nebr. Filed Sept. 19, 1958, Ser. No. 762,092 1 Claim. (Cl. 256-54) This invention relates to fence construction and repair or maintenance, and in particular a fastener for attaching wire to a post in which the post is provided with spaced rows of openings and the wire is secured to the post by slotted tapering plugs positioned over the wire and driven into one of the openings of the post.

The purpose of this invention is to provide means for attaching wire to fence posts without staples, nails, or other mechanical fastening elements and in which the fastening elements are readily withdrawn when it is desired to change or repair the wire.

Various types of fastening devices have been provided for securing fence Wire to posts and the like, and although some of these devices are comparatively simple substantially all fences are constructed with the conventional staples which have been used for many years. Staples have been found very satisfactory with the possible exception that they often split the post and with the wood split the staples work loose and often drop out.

For this reason this invention contemplates fence construction in which slotted tapering plugs are placed over wire and driven into openings of posts whereby the wire is securely held without metal fasteners or the like.

The object of this invention is, therefore, to provide means for securing fence wire to posts without staples, nails, or other metal fastening elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for attaching wire to posts in which the position of the wire on the posts is readily adjustable.

Another important object of the invention is to provide means for connecting wire to fence posts in which the connecting means may be actuated by a relatively small child.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for attaching fence wire to posts in which the same attaching means is used for both corner and intermediate posts of a fence.

A still further object is to provide means for attaching wire to posts and the like Without staples, nails, or other metal fastening elements, and in which the fastening elements may readily be removed to change the position of the wire in which the attaching means is of simple and economical construction.

With these and other objects and advantages in view the invention embodies a plug with a tapering outer surface and having a transversely disposed slot extended inwardly from the small end, and a post having openings therein with the openings formed to receive the plug with a strand of wire extended through the slot thereof.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing a fence post having holes or openings therein and also showing strands of fence wire extended through plugs in openings of the post.

FIGURE 2 is a cross section through the upper end of the post showing the openings therein with the lower part of the post broken away, and showing a plug with a wire therethrough in one of the openings, the parts being shown on an enlarged scale.

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the post, also with the parts shown on an enlarged scale, illustrating a post used as a corner post, and wherein the wire is held by two plugs.

FIGURE 4 is a view showing one of the plugs, the

3,037,745 Patented June 5, 1 962 plug having a tapering outer surface and having a slot therethrough, and the plug being shown on a still further enlarged scale.

While one embodiment is illustrated in the above referred to drawings, it is to be understood that they are merely for the purpose of illustration and that various changes in construction may be resorted to in the course of manufacture in order that the invention may be utilized to the best advantage according to circumstances which may arise, without in any manner departing from the spirit and intention of the device, which is to be limited only in accordance with the appended claims. And while there is stated the primary field of utility of the invention it remains obvious that it may be employed in any other capacity wherein it may be found applicable.

In the accompanying drawings and in the following specification, the same reference characters are used to designate the same parts and elements throughout, and in which the numeral 10 refers to the invention in its entirety, numeral 12 indicating a plug having a frustoconical shaped body with a tapering outer surface with a large end 14 and a small end 16, and in which a transversely disposed slot 18 extends inwardly from the small end to the point 20, and numeral 22 indicating a post having spaced openings 24 in the surface.

The openings in the post may be arranged in vertically disposed rows, preferably positioned at so that any post may be used as a corner post, as shown in FIGURE 3, however, it will be understood that the holes or openings may be located at any suitable points in the post. The post may also have an opening 26 in the upper end for mounting a wire on top of the post.

It will be understood that the openings 24 may be drilled completely through the post for convenience of manufacture or partial openings may be made in the sides of the post as is the opening 26 at the top of the post if desired.

The posts may be cast or molded of plasticor other suitable material with the holes formed therein, or Wood posts may be used and the holes drilled therein, as may be desired.

In use the posts are installed in post holes in the ground in the conventional manner, and with a wire positioned in a slot in a plug the plug is driven into one of the holes of the post, whereby the wire is secured in position on the post. Should it be desired to change the position of the wire the plug may be withdrawn and placed in a different hole.

The plugs may also be used in fence posts now in position in fence rows by drilling openings in the posts.

From the foregoing specification it will become apparent that the invention disclosed will adequately accomplish the functions for which it has been designed and in an economical manner, and that its simplicity, accuracy, and ease of operation are such as to provide a relatively inexpensive device, considering what it will accomplish, and that it will find an important place in the art to which it appertains when once placed on the market.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the descrip tion in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Changes in shape, size, and arrangement of details and parts such as come within the purview of the invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

Having now described the invention that which is claimed to be new and desired to be procured by Letters Patent, is:

A fence post having at least one opening extending inwardly from the side thereof, a plug of tapered form, the smaller end of said plug being of less transverse dimension than that of said opening and the larger end thereof being of greater transverse dimension than that of said opening, said plug having a slot extending inwardly from said smaller end, and said plug being inserted into frictional engagement with the said opening, with a portion of said slot extending to the outside of said post, whereby a fence wire may be retained in said slot.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

